Delhi BJP opposes ban on e-rickshaws

The Delhi BJP Friday opposed Delhi High Court's ban on e-rickshaws arguing that they contributed to the city's transport needs and were environment-friendly.

A delegation of the party, led by president Satish Upadhyay, met Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung and urged him to put forth his best defence in the high court.

"We respect the court's order but oppose the ban on e-rickshaws. It's a disorganised sector and we have requested the LG to put in efforts to help resolve the issue. If needed, we will approach the Supreme Court," Upadhyay told reporters after his meeting with Jung.

"E-rickshaws will not stop plying in Delhi as the city needs them," he added.

The High Court's ban came after an incident reported Wednesday in which a toddler died after an e-rickshaw hit his mother causing him to fall out of her grasp into a pot of boiling sugar syrup.

Upadhyay said the BJP government at the Centre will come out with a policy to regularise e-rickshaws within 10 days.

"The central government has framed a policy to regularise e-rickshaws and Nitin Gadkari (road transport and highways minister) has sent the details to the cabinet. Within ten days, the regulations in this regard will be made public," he said.